Summer League is a time for fans to come out of hibernation after a long early-summer break and overreact to some admittedly pretty unwatchable basketball. When watching these foul-fests and brick-offs, it's hard to think any of these players could become difference makers.
Indiana has made some interesting moves so far this summer, which is setting up for an important rebound season. Of course, that will be led by some standout Pacers, some of whom have experienced their own summer league action firsthand.
While Tyrese Halliburton, Andrew Nesmith, and Obi Toppin all saw their Summer League possibilities fall away due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, three of the Indiana Pacers' most fascinating developmental stories first showed their potential in the Summer League, whether in Vegas or Orlando.
Past Pacers summer leagues have been a mixed bag
The most recent of the group is Andrew Nembhard. The second-round pick played all five games in preparation for his rookie season. To say he played poorly would be an understatement. The Gonzaga guard averaged only six points per game on 35% from the field and 21% from three.
Just one year later, those averages went up to 17 points per contest, on similar but slightly improved efficiency. He only played two games before he was retired from the desert arenas in Nevada.
While Pascal Siakam only played one game after being drafted, his marked improvement from year one to year two can be seen in his stats. Just one year after the Cameroonian prospect couldn't muster a single three, he returned to Summer League to shoot 36.4% from deep.
Of the two vets, Ivica Zubac has the bigger sample size. The Croatian big man also played across two years for a Los Angeles Lakers team that eventually won the Summer League Championship, averaging just over 10 points per game across 13 total games.
Even though gaudy counting stats are fun, those three guys show how a high-impact player can come from anywhere, and that Vegas doesn't define who you become – the NBA season does.
A shot-chucker, a project player, and an immobile big. That's what people would've described three current starters on a championship hopeful as.
So, when you see Rienk Mast, the Dutch big man who led the Pacers to a 99-93 win yesterday, show out, know that there is a precedent set for players to perform and grow, just as much as there is one for players to fail and grow regardless.
In the meantime, let's enjoy the basketball, and get way too excited watching Jalen Slawson, knowing that Tyrese Halliburton will soon be returning for some real Pacers basketball.
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